Search form

You are here

Carilion Clinic VP Named Health Care Grass Roots Champion

Share this:

Submitted by News Team on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 3:01pm

Mark Lawrence Recognized by the American Hospital Association

WASHINGTON – The American Hospital Association (AHA), in partnership with the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, has awarded Mark S. Lawrence, VP, Governmental and External Affairs, Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, with the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champions Award.As a 2013Grassroots Champion Mark is being recognized for hisexceptional leadership in generating grassroots and community activityin support of a hospital’s mission.

The American Hospital Association Grassroots Champions Awardwas created to recognize those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital and is a tireless advocate for the hospital and its patients.

“We depend upon strong voices like yours to help tell the story of hospitals as cornerstones of the communities they serve,” said Rich Umbdenstock, AHA President and CEO. “This award is a small token of our appreciation for your hard work and dedication to improving health and health care in America.”

Whether he is leading a delegation of hospital and health system leaders through the halls of Congress or introducing General Assembly members to employees at Carilion Roanoke Memorial, Mark is able to simplify and make personal the important health care issues that legislators wrestle with on a daily basis.

“Mark Lawrence is a stalwart leader of VHHA’s grassroots advocacy activities,” says Laurens Sartoris, President of VHHA. “Thanks to his efforts, hospitals and health systems become more than just bricks and mortar in legislators’ minds, they are remembered as the hubs of the thriving communities that they are.”

The award is presented annually to one individual from each state with winners being chosen by the state association. The 2013 honorees were recognized at a special Breakfast of Grassroots Champions at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Mark Lawrence is one of 52 individuals honored who were honored this year.